COWES RNLI assisted a yacht that had suffered an engine fire in the Solent this afternoon (Sunday).

The 37-foot Haven Star, with two men and two women on board, reported the fire while east of Cowes Harbour.

Although the crew managed to put the fire out before the lifeboat arrived, the yacht still needed assistance due to loss of power.

The yacht was towed to its base in Gosport.

The lifeboat, which launched at 1.10pm, returned to station at 3.30pm.